Vitamin D and Autoimmune Diseases

Vitamin D has many and profound effects on the immune system. Vitamin D deficiency is known to be related to the development of autoimmune diseases. In particular, vitamin D deficiency is related to the development and the severity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA develops in patients with vitamin D deficiency, and the activity of the disease is related to vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is also related to the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE develops in patients with vitamin D deficiency, and the activity of the disease is also greater in patients with vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is also related to the development and the severity of multiple sclerosis. Vitamin D should be administered to patients with multiple sclerosis, and this seems to mitigate the symptoms of the disease and to prevent disease progression. Vitamin D deficiency is also observed in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and may be related to disease severity. Low vitamin D levels have also been observed in patients with autoimmune Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Low vitamin D levels have been observed in patients with systemic sclerosis, especially in the diffuse form of the disease. Optimal vitamin D levels appear to be required for normal immune function and for the prevention and treatment of autoimmune diseases

Endocrine Manifestations of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease affecting all organ systems. It affects primarily female patients in the reproductive age. The disease has a variable course from very mild to severe and may be fatal. It is characterized by exacerbations of disease activity called flares. Estrogens seem to be involved in SLE pathogenesis as they have multiple immunomodulating properties. In SLE the autoimmune process affects the neuroendocrine axis. Stress modulates disease expression in lupus patients. The disease affects the endocrine system. Hypothyroidism occurs in SLE patients in a higher rate than that of the general population. Hyperthyroidism is also observed in SLE, however, in the rate expected for the general population. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is observed in SLE in a higher rate than that of the general population. Hyperparathyroidism is also observed in SLE, primary and secondary in the context of renal insufficiency due to lupus nephritis. Addison’s disease is rare in SLE. Cushing’s disease due to an adrenal adenoma has been observed, but it is rare. Ovarian function may be compromised in SLE, due to autoimmune oophoritis or drug toxicity. The recognition of endocrine disease in SLE is important as it may guide proper management and symptom amelioration

Novel Therapeutic Interventions in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease. It is characterized by a variable clinical course ranging from mild to fatal disease. It can affect the kidneys. The aim of treatment in SLE is the prevention of flares and the prevention of accumulation of damage to the main organs affected as well as the prevention of drug side effects. The cornerstone of SLE treatment is hydroxychloroquine. Corticosteroids are used both as induction treatment in disease flares as well as in small doses as maintenance treatment. Immunosuppressants, such as azathioprine, methotrexate and mycophenolate mofetil are used as steroid sparing agents. Calcineurin inhibitors, namely tacrolimus and cyclosporin A may also be used as immunosuppressants and steroid sparing agents. Pulse methylprednisolone, along with mycophenolate mofetil and cyclophosphamide are used as induction treatment in lupus nephritis. Rituximab, an anti-CD20 biologic agent may be used in non-renal SLE. In patients insufficiently controlled with hydroxychloroquine, low dose prednisone and/or immunosuppressive agents, belimumab may be used with beneficial effects in non-renal disease and lupus nephritis

Sarcopenia in patients with diabetes mellitus.

IntroductionDiseases such as diabetes mellitus may be associated with adverse changes in body composition. Sarcopenia is characterized by a progressive and generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass and functionality.AimTo investigate the relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and sarcopenia.Materials and methodsIn a retrospective, non-randomized study, 35 T2DM patients, aged 20-80 years, were assessed for sarcopenia prevalence compared to controls (n=16). Appendicular skeletal mass (ASM) (kg) was measured, and sarcopenia was defined as SMI ResultsIncidence of sarcopenia was significantly higher in T2DM patients vs. controls (27% vs. 20%, p=0.01) and elderly vs. young participants (40% vs. 12%, pConclusionsA moderate prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus was observed, which appeared to increase significantly in older men. Finally, incidence of T2DM displayed decreased physical performance in both genders

Transcriptomic analysis of s-methoprene resistance in the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica, and evaluation of piperonyl butoxide as a resistance breaker

The lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica is a serious pest of stored grains. Fumigation and contact insecticides play a major role in managing this pest globally. While insects are developing genetic resistance to chemicals, hormonal analogues such as s-methoprene play a key role in reducing general pest pressure as well as managing pest populations that are resistant to fumigants and neurotoxic contact insecticides. However, resistance to s-methoprene has been reported in R. dominica with some reports showing a remarkable high resistance, questioning the use of this compound and other related analogues in grain protection. The current study attempts to identify possible molecular mechanisms that contribute in resistance to s-methoprene in R. dominica

Beyond the walls: the design and development of the Petralona Cave virtual museum utilising 3D technologies

The Petralona Cave, which local inhabitants discovered by chance in 1959, is a remarkable natural and cultural landmark close to the village of Petralona, in the Chalkidiki peninsula of Greece. The site has gained global recognition for the discovery of a remarkably well-preserved Palaeolithic human skull, unearthed in 1960; it also holds archaeological and palaeontological significance. In this paper, the researchers introduce the Petralona Cave Virtual Museum: an innovative project whose mission is to increase public awareness and comprehension of the site. Our approach goes beyond mere replication of the physical museum located close to the cave; instead, the objective is to create an independent and comprehensive experience that is accessible to all visitors, irrespective of their ability to visit the site in person. Our methodology involved the documentation of the site and its history, analysis of user requirements, development of use cases to steer the design process, as well as architectural designs creation, itineraries and findings digitisation, and architectural structure finalisation. The Virtual Museum provides a well-organised frame structure that serves as an efficient gateway to the content, making navigation easy for visitors. Thanks to various presentation methods, including videos, high-quality images, interactive maps, animated content, interactive 3D models, plus searchable item libraries, among others, users are empowered to create a highly personalised navigation plan; thus the Virtual Museum experience is comparable to visiting the physical museum or cultural site. Cutting-edge digitisation techniques were employed to create highly detailed 3D models of the site. The Petralona Cave Virtual Museum is expected to offer an immersive experience, engaging diverse audiences; the interactive and educational exploration provides highly innovative access to archaeological knowledge. The visibility of the Petralona site is amplified and there is a significant contribution to knowledge dissemination about this important cultural heritage site

Autoimmune Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and Hypothyroidism: Novel Aspects

Autoimmune Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an organ specific autoimmune disorder. It affects the thyroid gland and it is characterized by the presence of antibodies to thyroid proteins, namely, thyroid peroxidase, TPOab and thyroglobulin, Tgab and thyroid tissue invasion by lymphocytes. The presence of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis may be associated with normal thyroid function or hypothyroidism. In many cases of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis with normal thyroid function may progress to subclinical hypothyroidism or overt hypothyroidism. Risk factors for the development of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are genetic and environmental. Genetic factors are HLA-DR4, CD40, CTLA-4 and PTP-N22 and genetic factors related to thyroglobulin gene and TSH receptor gene. Environmental factors include the presence of iodine excess in the environment, infectious agents such as hepatitis C virus and the SARS-CoV-2 virus, smoking, alcohol, selenium deficiency, drugs such as amiodarone, interferon-a, highly active antiretroviral therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Female sex is also a risk factor for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. The disease runs a variable course. Presently there are experimental efforts to pause or reverse the autoimmune process which leads to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and may progress to the destruction of the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism is treated by the administration of thyroxine usually for life

Vitamin D and glycemic control in diabetes mellitus type 2

Objectives: The extraskeletal effects of vitamin D have attracted considerable interest. Vitamin D deficiency appears to be related to the development of diabetes mellitus type 2 and the metabolic syndrome. Vitamin D may affect glucose homeostasis, vitamin D levels having been found to be inversely related to glycosylated hemoglobin levels in gestational diabetes mellitus. In addition, vitamin D appears to protect from the development of gestational diabetes mellitus. The aim was to study levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D 3 [25(OH)D 3 ] and the relationship between 25(OH)D 3 levels and glycemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2. Methods: Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1 c ) and 25(OH)D 3 levels were measured in a group of 120 diabetes mellitus type 2 patients. The same measurements were performed in a group of 120 control subjects of the same age and sex. 25(OH)D 3 was measured by radioimmunoassay and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1 c ) was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: 25(OH)D 3 levels were lower in the diabetes mellitus type 2 patients than in the control group, being 19.26 ± 0.95 ng/ml and 25.49 ± 1.02 ng/ml, in the patient and control groups, respectively ( p < 0.001, Student’s t -test). 25(OH)D 3 levels were found to be inversely associated with HbA1 c levels in the diabetic patients ( p = 0.008, r 2 = 0.058, linear regression). 25(OH)D 3 levels were found to be inversely associated with HbA1 c when the patient and control groups were analysed together ( p < 0.001, r 2 = 0.086). Conclusions: Vitamin D levels appeared to be lower in diabetes mellitus type 2 patients than in the control group, vitamin D levels being related to glycemic control in diabetes mellitus type 2. These findings may have therapeutic implications as cautious vitamin D supplementation may improve glycemic control in diabetes mellitus type 2